Industry News
Two years ago, USA Nordic Sport negotiated a partnership with the Norwegian Nordic Combined Federation to offer U.S. athletes the best training opportunities for the World Cup and in the lead-up to the 2026 Olympics. Unfortunately, this partnership appears to have come to a sudden end as the necessary fundraising goal of $150,000 could not be met by the agreed deadline. In April 2024, the Executive Committee and Sports Committee of USA Nordic Sports provided a directive to the ski jumping and Nordic combined disciplines outlining the necessity for each to engage in fundraising efforts to secure a minimum of $150,000 toward expenses for continued engagement of the Norwegian Federation for their respective sport.
On June 26, USA Nordic Sport announced in a press release that due to the fundraising goal not being met, the national organization was forced to inform the Norwegian Federation that the USA will be unable to continue the Nordic Combined partnership for the 24/25 season due to insufficient funding. The Ski Jumping team reached its fundraising goal set by USA Nordic Sport. Nordic Combined is the unique combination of both ski jumping and cross-country skiing. While it is an Olympic event, it is only open on the Olympic level to male athletes—a move often criticized by female Nordic Combined athletes.
“The Board understands the profound impact of this decision on our Nordic combined athletes and the broader community. We have initiated discussions with the athletes and remain committed to assisting them during this transition. As the national governing body for the sport, U.S. Ski & Snowboard will continue to recognize and support start rights to international events, in addition to providing additional non-financial support.”
– USA Nordic Sport Press Release
The news has been a massive blow to American Nordic Combined athletes, such as 2024 Nordic Combined Athlete of the Year Alexa Brabec from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, or Olympic athlete Stephen Schumann from Park City, Utah. Brabec’s mother formed a nonprofit organization called ‘Nordic Combined USA, Inc.’ in early May to raise funds for the American Nordic Combined team.
In an interview with KPCW, Schumann admitted that USA Nordic Sport’s decision was extremely devastating for Nordic Combined athletes: “They essentially took what little support and funding we had, got rid of it, and told us, ‘You guys are on your own. You need to find your own way if you want to make this work.’ So that is what we’re going to try to do.”
The Nordic Combined athletes hope to raise funds for their sport by a fundraising event this week at Howelsen Hill, Colorado. The 4th of July Ski Jumping Extravaganza will feature 80 of the nation’s best Nordic combined and ski jumping athletes as they soar 225 feet over the crowd from the HS75 jump at Howelsen Hill. Please come out and support Team USA’s Nordic Combined athletes. Details for the Ski Jumping Extravaganza are as follows:
- Thursday, July 4:
- Nordic Combined Competition – Before the 4th of July Parade:
- 1K Run (on Lincoln Ave) – 9:15 a.m.
- 3K Roller Ski Race (on Lincoln Ave) – 9:30 a.m.
- Elimination Jump Competition – 11:00 a.m. (following the parade) – 2 p.m.
